Paul Merson believes Liverpool are highly unlikely to finish above Arsenal in the Premier League this season if they lose at the Emirates on Sunday.

Although Jurgen Klopp’s side do have a game in hand, the Reds are currently eleven points behind the Gunners, and Merson feels it could be a defining game for both sides:

“If Arsenal go 14 points clear on Sunday, it takes Liverpool out of the equation for Arsenal. The main aim for Arsenal is to be in the top four, we’ve seen what Man City can do, but being in the top four and being competitive, they can’t lose that insight or get carried away. If they win though, they’ll finish above Liverpool. If Liverpool got beat three more times all season, Arsenal would have to lose a third of their games to finish behind them.”

Merson is bang on the money here. Liverpool may have only lost once in the league so far this campaign but another defeat would spell big trouble.

While their title hopes are already hanging by a thread, their top four ambitions would also be damaged by losing to Arsenal this weekend.

The draw against Brighton and a rather underwhelming win versus Rangers in the Champions League means Liverpool supporters won’t be confident about getting a result versus an in-form Gunners team. It will be hoped that they can pull a performance out of the bag when they need it most.